Double delight for Lib Dems at Torbay budget meeting

Liberal Democrats on Torbay Council have welcomed the Mayor’s decision to back the two amendments they proposed to his budget at last night’s Full Council.

The first proposal concerned the need to invest in the troubled children’s services to ensure that they were more fit for purpose.

The leader of the Liberal Democrats on Torbay Council, Steve Darling, said: “Torbay children’s services are set to overspend by four million pounds this year and have been found wanting by inspectors. Our proposal of a £150,000 investment, which was accepted by the Mayor, is a down payment towards supporting our foster carers and ensuring that we improve our retention and recruitment of social workers.”

The Torquay councillor went on to say: “The 4 million pound overspend on children’s services is impacting across the council. One example is the £600,000 underspend on repairing our highways. We need to get this budget under control by reducing the number of children coming into care through investment in the service, not only for the sake of looking after children and their families but also to protect the rest of the council budget from the cuts that such overspends result in.”

The Paignton councillor Chris Carter was delighted that the Mayor had accepted her objection to the capital budget and her suggestion that the broken slipway at the south end of Paignton beach be repaired.

The deputy leader of the Liberal Democrats said: “Following our objection, the Mayor has immediately actioned the £35,000 to make this slipway good. It is used by a number of sports clubs, and I will be seeking assurances that the work will be undertaken in good time for the summer season.”